Bio

Jennifer Lathop is a graphic designer and hobbyist knitter who lives in Minneapolis. She began knitting with her mother. Today, she uses Evernote to not only manage her patterns, but to organize her family life, do her taxes, and keep track of work projects.

I use Evernote, Everywhere

I use Evernote for…

After I had initially discovered Evernote, I really wanted to figure out how it could fit into my lifestyle. I started following the Evernote blog and also Michael Hyatt’s blog and taking note of ideas. I started using Evernote by scanning in cartoons that I kept in a desk drawer, and since, my use has evolved beyond what I ever imagined.

Evernote for Knitting

I started knitting with my mom years ago. I’ve knit hats, mittens, scarves, blankets, sweaters and socks. Right now, I’m working on a baby blanket. Here are some of the ways Evernote has become an invaluable companion for me:

When my mom passed away, I got all of her knitting stuff and was immediately overwhelmed. My mom never knew what needles she had, and was always buying more. I’ve taken all of her needles and organized them entirely in Evernote, noting the type (double point, circular). Now, if I’m at the craft store, I know exactly what needles I have because I can pull up my list on my phone.

You knit where you are, so you take your projects with you. I used to take my pattern, fold it, and stuff it in my bag; after a while, it would start to crease and rip. Now, my patterns are saved in Evernote, so I have them with me no matter where I go, and they’re protected…for life!*

I find a lot of free patterns online, so I clip the patterns or new knitting techniques that I come across. Recently, I came across a video about a difficult join (it’s where you stop one yarn color and start another). I clipped the screenshot to my Evernote account so that I’d have it for reference (it’s complicated!). You can also scan in hard copies of patterns and save them in your Evernote account.

One of the things I’m starting to do is chronicle my knitting projects: taking pictures of finished projects, scanning in the labels of the yarn I used, and attaching the image of the yarn type to the note.

Evernote for work and life:

These days, I use Evernote for much more than knitting:

I have 16 main notebooks, many of which are Notebook Stacks. I love having my notes separated into appropriate categories. I have notebooks for graphic design, health, my kids, knitting, productivity, taxes, etc. Each notebook, like my ‘kids’ notebook, has a sub-notebook (ie – each kid has their own notebook). [Learn more about Notebook Stacks]

I’m a graphic designer and I’ve started to collect samples of things I see and like. I’ve also been doing more social media work for my job, so I’ve been saving tips, tricks and ideas for best practices.

I really like being able to share notebooks. I share them with my husband, especially when they have to do with the kids, the house, or gift ideas. For example, we went school shopping this weekend and I had scanned in the supply list. We both had it, so we could both scan the list. If he needs to pick some things up when I’m not around, he can. I’ve recently started sharing project-related notes with my boss. They get updated everywhere automatically, so we’re always on the same page. [Learn more about Shared Notebooks]

User Tip:

I love the new Android widget that shows my most-recently used notes: it allows me to pull up my most-recently used pattern in a snap.

*I only scan in patterns I have purchased (or are free) and I do not share or distribute any patterns I have loaded into Evernote.

Yay, Jenni! She does do EVERYTHING in Evernote and I find it handy that she shares her work “to do” notebook with me! She’s got me hooked on a lot of Evernote features. I clip a lot of blogs I like (Especially recipes) thanks to a tip from Jenni, the Evernote Queen!

I use evernote for patterns too- but I find it most useful for patterns that I am writing. I can have yarn labels, all pattern instructions, etc all in one place where it is easy to take notes while I work.

I can see that I am going to have to learn to use Evernote. I downloaded the App, but really haven’t explored how to use it – I thought it was a business tool, but I can see that I can use it for my scrapbooking. You have inspired to learn Evernote, thanks.

I use Evernote for actual patterns, but for needles and projects, I mainly use Ravelry. I’m hoping to make more use of Evernote as a place to hold and organize all those patterns, though! And I’d never thought of using it for yarn labels – love that idea!

I have been using evernote for awhile now, but NEVER in such a clever way. I plan to go into my evernote and get to organizing so I can find something when I am looking for it. Also make it a lot more fun. Thanks for these useful tips.

I’m so excited you all have found some new ways to use Evernote (total fan girl here!). I took me that “a-ha” moment of putting my kids’ immunization records in EN to really start seeing how I could use it in a lot of different ways (besides storing the cartoons cluttering up my desk drawers).

I have only recently found my way to Ravelry and I really like it (amazing users!). I just happened to be in Evernote first and don’t wish to move things from place to place. I prefer the flexibility I have to set up files the way I want them to be set up (such as my needle list… I’ve always found the multiplication-style needle tracking chart to be somewhat cumbersome).

That file has expanded now, too. I have a list of the children’s last check up (because paperwork always requires that date and I always forget!), their allergies/medications, any prescriptions and I scan in the eye prescriptions as well. I have a notebook for each kid with this information in separate notes. Then I have one “main” note for all of my kids with note links to each sub note (so it’s easy to find). All of these are in notebooks shared with my husband so he always has access to it as well.

OM Gosh! Brilliant ideas! I never thought to put my patterns in Evernote. Not only is that great for working the pattern, but yarn buying. If one had a list of patterns to pull up at the yarn store, you’d know exactly what and how much you need.

I love Evernote! I am inspired to add a knitting section now with all your great tips. I have been doing the fold, crease, rip thing with my patterns – I have a favorite sock pattern that I knit and the pattern is in tatters…voila…enter Evernote! Whew…I may even FINISH MORE PROJECTS because of Evernote! Yay!

I love your ideas. I use Evernote to keep track of which seasons of DVD television shows I own. (I love old sitcoms.) By always having the list available, I can quickly check my phone for gaps in my collection when I run across sales. By doing this I’ve been able to buy most of my DVD’s at 40% off (or more).

I LOVE this post! I’m not a knitter, just a rampant sewer/maker of stuff/mama/blogger/etc etc etc. This post gave me so many ideas for how to finally corral that unending stack of ideas. (And hopefully, buy less duplicates of things in the future!) Thank you very much!

I use two evernote accounts. One for home where I load screen clips from websites for craft ideas, I take pictures so I load great picture ideas for my next shots, and seperate folders for my kids scanned in images as well for sharing with the grandparents.

My work one I use for all the clipping abilities instead of printing multiple pages to put into files I clip the parts of the screen I need, merge the notes together, email to my own account and then forward to the rep that I need to share the file with. I also use in conjunction with an adobe printer so I can save the PDF files into my database attachments.

I think I may have to start adding all of my minature patterns into my evernote, I had not thought of that one. Thank you

I’ve also begun cataloguing my quilting fabrics and other supplies, and keep notes of completed and in-progress projects. I scan the fabrics and note the designer/brand name, scan patterns and tips/ideas, and keep track of costs.

I love, love, love Evernote!! It truly is an extension of my brain. I use it for everything!! Bills, hobbies, grocery lists, schedules, you name it, I’ve organized it all. The simplicity of the application reminds me of what Facebook used to be… simple and intuitive. I have photos, pdfs, voice notes all at the tip of my fingers, and with the tags feature, within seconds. It is the closest I have ever been to potentially being able to truly go paperless with my records. I originally bought it to keep track of some home decor items, and a few pictures, but now I find myself referring to it for just about everything! My favorite use for it though: gifts! I have all of my printable tags and cards organized by holiday as well as keeping my holiday to do/buy lists in order so I’m not missing anybody when birthdays/anniversaries/xmas etc. pop up.

I run a sewing service business and I keep track of what to do and when on Evernote. I have notebooks for each section, dressmaking, soft furnishings, alterations and misc. I post a note of a new client and details of the job, when its completed it gets filed into the appropriate notebook. That way I have a list of current jobs and separate lists of completed jobs in the relevant areas. I live in a small community and get asked to do things when I’m out and about, I can add it straight away to my list and also give them an appointment on the spot too as I use google calendar on my phone.

I have a separate accounting and invoicing programme but I scan all the receipts onto Evernote and organise them into months. Its then easy to share them with the accountant.

I am also using Evernote to collate information for a new business idea, I use my phone to access info and store any photos I may take on my travels.

I have a notebook with all the car details – dates for service, MOT, tax and insurance, recovery service. I scan all receipts for repairs so I KNOW exactly what needs to be done and when. I also keep weblinks for scrap yards and parts suppliers so I can check the prices of things myself before committing to a repair – some of the mark ups are shocking!

Thanks so much for sharing your story, Suzanne. You might want to check out our new lifestyle forum – there are some great craft-related conversations happening there: http://discussion.evernote.com/forum/43-craft/

I <3 Evernote and just went Premium today. I had to. I was using it too much I just got done with my own blog post about wonderful world of Evernote. Afterward, I went poking around and found your above post. I added some links to this article and shared some of your goodies. Thanks!

I use it for personal, and professional stuff too. I love that I can sort things out so that everything in my life has its own handy spot.

I was most inspired by your saying "If I’m out and about and have an idea for a blog post but no time to work on it, I just dictate a voice note to myself and pull it up later when I’m at my desk."
This is going to change my life! Thanks for this tip. I have not tried using the voice aspect of Evernote yet. I had been using "microphone" on my iPhone but find that I almost never go back to it.

I will get more ideas turned into blog posts this way. Thank you thank you thank you!
And, BONUS, I love to record my 3 1/2 son talking and singing so I can share it with the family.